Purdue's Rondale Moore races to the end zone for a touchdown against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in West Lafayette, Ind. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Rondale Moore of Purdue on a 76-yard touchdown run at 1:02 in the first quarter against Northwestern Thursday, August 30, 2018, in West Lafayette. Moore’s score tied the game at 14-14. Northwestern defeated Purdue 31-27. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue coach Jeff Brohm shouts to officials after Northwestern's JR Pace intercepted a pass by Elijah Sindelar during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in West Lafayette, Ind. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Rondale Moore of Purdue fumbles the ball as he is hit by Ikie Calderon of Eastern Michigan in the first half Saturday, September 8, 2018, in West Lafayette. Purdue fell to Eastern Michigan 20-19. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue quarterback David Blough is brought down by the Eastern Michigan defense after a carry in the first half Saturday, September 8, 2018, in West Lafayette. Purdue fell to Eastern Michigan 20-19. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Eastern Michigan kicker Chad Ryland, left, reacts after his field goal as time ran out lifted the Eagles to a 20-19 victory over Purdue Saturday, September 8, 2018, in West Lafayette. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Rondale Moore of Purdue with a pass reception in the second half against Missouri Saturday, September 15, 2018, in West Lafayette. Purdue lost 40-37 on a Missouri field goal as time expired. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Kenneth Major (2) of Purdue reacts after intercepting a Missouri pass late in the fourth quarter Saturday, September 15, 2018, in West Lafayette. Purdue lost 40-37 on a Missouri field goal as time expired. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Purdue quarterback David Blough with a pass against Missouri in the first half Saturday, September 15, 2018, in West Lafayette. Missouri defeated Purdue 40-37 on Tucker McCann's field goal as time expired. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Missouri players celebrate after Tucker McCann’s field as time expired lifted the Tigers to a 40-37 victory over Purdue Saturday, September 15, 2018, in West Lafayette. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Jacob Abrams of Purdue looks up to the scoreboard moments after the Boilermakers fell to Missouri 40-37 on Tucker McCann’s field goal as time expired Saturday, September 15, 2018, in West Lafayette. Frank Oliver for the Journal & C

Rondale Moore of Purdue with a stiff arm to Isaiah McDuffie of Boston College on a kick return in the first half Saturday, September 22, 2018, in Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated Boston College 30-13. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm screams to get the attention of the officials after a penalty was whistled against Boston College in the first half Saturday, September 22, 2018, in Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated Boston College 30-13. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue running back D.J. Knox (1) scores a touchdown ahead of Nebraska defensive back Aaron Williams (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Photo/Nati Harnik

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) carries the ball against Purdue linebacker Markus Bailey (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Purdue won 42-28. Photo/Nati Harnik

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm gives a thumbs-up to fans as he leaves the field following an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. Purdue won 42-28. Photo/Nati Harnik

Purdue quarterback David Blough with a first-half pass against Illinois.
John Terhune/Journal & Courier
Purdue quarterback David Blough with a first half pass against Illinois. John Terhune/Journal & Courier,

Purdue quarterback David Blough leaves the field with The Cannon traveling trophy after the Boilermakers pounded Illinois 46-7 Saturday, October 13, 2018, in Champaign, Illinois. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

The Purdue faithful show their support for Tyler Trent as the Boilermakers pull away from Ohio State in the fourth quarter Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Trent, a Purdue student, is battling a rare form of bone cancer. Purdue upset the No. 2 ranked Buckeyes 49-20. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm shouts at the officials after the Boilermakers were whistled for a penalty during a punt to Iowa late in the first half Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated Iowa 38-36. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Terry Wright, left, of Purdue celebrates with teammate Cole Herdman after his touchdown reception at 2:26 in the third quarter against Iowa Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated Iowa 38-36. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue kicker Spencer Evans, right, celebrates with Joe Schopper after his field goal put the Boilermakers up 38-36 over Iowa Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Ben Makowski of Purdue emerges with the football after Wisconsin muffed a punt 12:16 in the fourth quarter Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue fell to Wisconsin 47-44 3OT. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Garrett Groshek of Wisconsin dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second overtime period against Purdue Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue fell to Wisconsin 47-44 3OT. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Rondale Moore of Purdue with a touchdown in the first overtime period against Wisconsin Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue fell to Wisconsin 47-44 3OT. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin runs over Antonio Blackmon of Purdue as he rushes for the winning touchdown in the third overtime period Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue fell to Wisconsin 47-44 3OT. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Giovanni Reviere of Purdue slumps to his knees as Wisconsin players rush the field following Jonathon Taylor’s winning touchdown in the third overtime period Saturday, November 17, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue fell to Wisconsin 47-44 3OT. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue wide receiver Isaac Zico (7) celebrates a touchdown reception with Terry Wright during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. Darron Cummings, AP

For what he’s done at Purdue. For what he accomplished at Western Kentucky. The Tigers know and have studied Brohm and his playcalling tendencies, including three bowl games with the Hilltoppers.

“The guy we’re going against (Friday), he’s going to get you the next play,” Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said Thursday. “If you’re cheating something to take away something, he’s very good at attacking it in that series or soon thereafter.”

And then, Steele tossed out the baseball analogy. Just don’t throw fastballs at Brohm. You’d better mix up your pitches.

“You’ve got to have pitches in your game plan in terms of being able to adjust and alter things because he will find where you’re trying to take things away and know what’s exposed and attack it immediately,” Steele said. “You can’t sit there and throw a fastball on a pitch and go curveball.”

Steele goes back to 2015 when he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Louisiana State when Brohm brought Western Kentucky to Tiger Stadium. LSU won 48-20.

“We’ve gone back and watched every one of their bowl games where he called plays to see the difference between the season and the bowl game,” Steele said. “We’ve watched a lot of tape on him.”

Trick plays

Brohm runs them. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn enjoys them as well.

With more than a month between games, both coaches are likely to use more, depending on how Friday’s Music City Bowl matchup is unfolding.

Brohm didn’t reach his desired goal of 50 trick plays he set in the offseason, in part, because the Boilermakers were more effective on offense this year compared to 2017. Also, having Rondale Moore in the lineup helps.

“You’re looking at two coaches that like the trick plays,” Brohm said. “When you have this much time to prepare you end up putting in more than you need to. Without question, you’ve got to have a lot of bullets ready to go.”

Purdue co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Brohm said the play-call sheet is as big as he’s seen it this season.

“We don’t know what we’re going to call yet,” Brian Brohm said. “We definitely have enough bullets in the holster and we’re going to cut it loose, which has been our motto.”

Malzahn said he’s been watching Brohm for a long time, even stealing “some things from him.” He said Brohm plays to his strengths, which is developing and designing plays to feature their best players.

“We’re hoping Markus makes the decision for his best interest, his family and hopefully for us. We would love to have him back,” co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Nick Holt said. “We’ll wait and see. I think it’s still up in the air trying to gather information. Hopefully, when he sits down and makes the final decision he comes back.”

Moore impressions

Malzahn called the freshman receiver “one of the best players in all of college football.”

Although Moore’s talents may not be unique in the SEC, his impact with the Boilermakers has been historic. He leads the nation with 103 receptions and became the first true Big Ten freshman to be named a consensus All-American.

“He demands attention and anytime you have to give special attention to certain players, it opens up other things,” Malzahn said. “They do a super job of getting him the ball in different ways, getting him open, handing him the ball. You can tell he’s a very confident player and that’s pretty unusual for a freshman.”